Lego characters soon to include some Hidden Figures

The buzz around Hidden Figures has played its part in influencing Lego’s latest character set, with five NASA legends joining the fold.

Last year’s Women of NASA Lego campaign has ultimately succeeded in its attempt to have five icons of the space industry recognised in Lego form.

Making the announcement this week, Lego said that Maia Weinstock’s campaign was chosen for its inspirational value as well as build-and-play experience.

“As a science editor and writer, with a strong personal interest for space exploration as well as the history of women in science and engineering, Maia Weinstock’s Women of NASA project was a way for her to celebrate accomplished women in the STEM professions – in particular, those who’ve made a big impact through their work at NASA,” said Lego.

The Lego figures aren’t expected to be available until the end of the year, or early 2018.

Five NASA icons were suggested in the proposal, including one who became the inspiration for the Hollywood blockbuster movie, Hidden Figures.

These five include Sally Ride, astronaut and the first American woman in space; Margaret Hamilton, the pioneering computer scientist who developed the onboard flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon; Katherine Johnson, the mathematician and space scientist who calculated the trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo missions; Nancy Grace Roman, an astronomer known as the ‘Mother of Hubble’ for her work on the Hubble Space Telescope; and Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space.

The project needed 10,000 supporters, which it achieved well in advance of the September deadline. The decision from Lego, though, took months longer than expected, but conveniently comes as Hidden Figures is playing in cinemas all across the world.

After reaching the 10,000 landmark last August, Weinstock said: “Thanks again, everyone, and don’t forget to – in the words of Sally Ride – always reach for the stars!”

Last week,Siliconrepublic.com featured several women who helped pioneer the space race in the US, the majority of which worked behind the scenes with little or no recognition.